Big blow for Argentina: Messi to skip Rio Olympics

Karachi, Feb.2 (ANI): Argentine football star Lionel Messi will not feature in the upcoming Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Confirming the news, Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said that the 28-year-old forward would miss the tournament because of a lot of competition for the national team this year, the Express Tribune reported.

Messi, who would lead his side at the Centennial Copa America in the United States in June, had earlier led his side to the 2014 World Cup final in Rio, which Argentina lost 0-1 to Germany.

Martino, who believes that Messi would suffer burnout after a demanding season, admitted that he wanted his side to win the Olympics Games but not at the cost of his players.